Timor-Leste

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste – more commonly called East Timor – is a small country of 5,400 square miles in southeast Asia comprising the eastern half of the island of Timor, along with several nearby islands and an enclave within Indonesian West Timor.

Colonised by the Portuguese in the mid-18th century, Timor Leste declared independence in 1975, a move that precipitated an invasion of the country by the Indonesian military. The UN eventually stepped in to restore order, leading to a situation where the country’s modern day population of around a million people now enjoys a more tranquil existence.

Popular sports in Timor-Leste with accredited administration bodies include athletics, badminton, cycling, weightlifting, table tennis and football. Sadly, the game of golf doesn’t yet rate a mention but maybe one of these days, you never know.